Author: Festus Adeloye

Chelsea secured their first victory under new coach Enzo Maresca with a 2-0 victory over Servette in their Conference League play-off round first leg on Thursday. The hosts struggled to break down their opponents in the first half at Stamford Bridge before Christopher Nkunku put them in front with a 50th-minute penalty, just his fourth goal for the club. Noni Madueke moved Chelsea closer to a group-stage place ahead of next week’s second leg by firing home from Enzo Fernandez’s pass. Tiemoko Ouattara almost pulled one back for Swiss side Servette late on when his deflected strike hit the crossbar.…

As part of efforts to decongest correctional facilities in the state, the Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Ekaete Obot, has ordered the release of 44 inmates, including two females, across the correctional facilities in the three senatorial districts of the state. Six of the inmates regained freedom in Ikot Abasi centre, five in Eket custodial centre, 11 were freed in Ikot Ekpene centre while 24 inmates, including two females, were pardoned in Uyo custodial centre. The inmates regained freedom during the first inspection visit of the chief judge to the correctional centres. Justice Obot, who went through all…

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) has debunked claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that it has been hijacked by “corporate cabals” around President Bola Tinubu. Atiku had in a statement signed by his media aide, Paul Ibe, on Wednesday, expressed astonishment at how the NNPC “placed its retail division under the management of OVH, a company in which Oando, headed by Wale Tinubu, owns 49 percent”. Atiku lamented that his intention to privatise the NNPC and increase its transparency has been overshadowed, describing it as “the criminal hijack of the company by corporate cabals around the president”.…

Nigerian forward Paul Julius has tragically lost his life in a car accident in Cyprus. The young footballer was involved in a head-on collision on the Paralimni-Protaras road. Julius had recently joined Cypriot club Enosis Neon Paralimniou just three weeks ago from Egyptian side El Gaish. The club expressed their deep sorrow over his untimely death on their official website, mourning the loss of a promising talent. Enosis Neon Paralimniou’s statement conveyed their sadness, highlighting the tragic nature of the event and offering condolences to Julius’s family and loved ones. The football community has been left in shock by the…

Succour is on the way for residents and motorists plying the ever busy Lagos-Ota-Abeokuta Expressway as the contracting firm, Craneburg, has moved to site to begin the reconstruction of the 81km road which has been abandoned and in a state of disrepair for years. The flag-off/turning of the sod for the reconstruction is expected to take place on Friday, 23 August. It will be performed by the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun. Craneburg started mobilizing its equipment to the site 10 days ago to begin palliative measures in an attempt to make one side of the road motorable, while…

A loaded gas tanker heading toward Gbagada along the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway in Lagos State, on Wednesday, overturned at Anthony Oke. The incident which happened on Wednesday left the driver of the truck injured, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said. Disclosing this in a statement, LASTMA spokesman, Adebayo Taofiq, stated that the unidentified driver is receiving treatment in a medical facility. Taofiq said the swift intervention of LASTMA personnel, in conjunction with the efforts of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Services, averted a potential disaster resulting from the incident. “Earlier today, a loaded gas tanker overturned at Anthony…

President Bola Tinubu has mourned the victims of the devastating flood in Jigawa State, assuring the state government of his administration’s support. Over 16 people were killed and more than 3000 displaced in flood disasters in 14 local government areas of the state. The President in a statement on Wednesday by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, condoled with the state government over the issue that also displaced many residents of the state. “The President also commiserates with the bereaved families and victims of the flooding, which has impacted about 14 local government areas and many households,” the statement read. “President Tinubu…

The Kano State Police Command on Wednesday confirmed that it has recorded a significant breakthrough in its efforts to combat crime in the state. This is in compliance with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police toward ensuring round-the-clock visibility patrols Following a series of raids on criminal hideouts and black spots in areas of public outcry within Kano Metropolis, the Command arrested 41 suspects and recovered dangerous weapons and intoxicating drugs, with the investigation ongoing. In a statement made available to newsmen on Wednesday the Kano State Police Command, Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Kiyawa, attributed the achievement to…

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, were among the global leaders invited to participate in the 2024 International Leaders Forum held on the sidelines of the Democratic National Convention in the United States. Obi disclosed this in a statement and pictures shared on social media on Wednesday. According to Obi, he, Osinbajo, and another Nigerian were invited by the Board of the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs to join global leaders in sharing experiences, building relationships, and addressing pressing challenges to democratic institutions, values, and norms. Obi wrote, “Upon a personal…

Chelsea Football Club has secured the signing of João Félix from Atlético Madrid. A statement on the club’s website on Wednesday confirmed the transfer. It reads, “João, an established forward for the Portugal national team, has signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge and will join his new teammates for training in the coming days.”